Green Day
Shenanigans
On Sale Now
For $10.68

A collection of B-sides, rarities, and covers, Shenanigans by Green Day is exactly what you would expect a Green Day album to be: catchy, power chord-driven guitar rock topped with energetic, spiky vocals. Green Day added their own Californian take on this sound, initially concocted by bands like The Buzzcocks and The Clash, when they exploded in 1994 with their breakthrough album Dookie, and they have since become a major influence on waves of hugely popular pop-punk bands like Sum 41 and Blink 182.

Compilations of this kind usually end up quite hit or miss, but Shenanigans holds together extremely well over the course of 14 tracks. "Suffocate" is an invigorating blast, sure to make one at least bob his head up and down. Lead singer Billy Joe Armstrong's lyrics have typically dealt with teenage ennui and angst, which is exemplified on songs like "Sick of Me." Though he could easily come off as trite and clichéd in these songs, Armstrong maintains an air of sincerity that gives these otherwise loud rock songs a poignant edge.

The spy-theme inspired instrumental "Espionage" is a pleasant deviation from the typical Green Day formula with its blazing horns and Mike Dirnt's maniacally bouncy bass. Their cover of The Kinks' "Tired of Waiting for You" sounds fresh and fun, a quality contemporary take on a classic song. "Rotting" is a mellower track, at least by Green Day standards, and features a spacey guitar line and a lovely bittersweet melody, a reflection of the sensitive Green Day best seen on "When I Come Around."

Overall, Shenanigans is a cohesive and enjoyable collection of little heard Green Day songs. It works as a nice collection to International Superhits, their loaded best-of set released in 2001. It's hard to believe that these guys have been together for almost fifteen years and have lasted through grunge, nu-metal, and all sorts of other pop trends. For the uninitiated (however few are still out there) or the long-time fan, Shenanigans is a highly recommended contemporary collection of simple and fun rock 'n roll.

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